For Manchester City, the season is practically over – they’ve already achieved their goal of winning the title. But, for their next opponents, there’s so much still at stake. West Ham are still in danger of getting relegated, which is why they’ll have to go for a win on Sunday afternoon. So, who’s gonna be the happier side when the referee blows the final whistle? Find out in West Ham vs. Manchester City match preview!
West Ham
The Hammers currently have six points more than Southampton who are in the relegation zone. As there are four more rounds left until the end of the season, West Ham need to be very careful not to lose each of those games.
The problem is that they have to play against some big-name teams. After the duel with Man City at the London Stadium, they travel to the King Power Stadium to play Leicester, while their two remaining games are against Manchester United and Everton.
What gives the Hammers a lot of confidence that they’ll stay in the Premier League for another season is the fact that a few other teams are in basically the same position as them. So, if they manage to win a few points in the remaining four games, they should be fine.
And they definitely have the quality to achieve that. This team has scored in all but one Premier League game they played in 2018. They even played well against Arsenal at the Emirates last weekend until the last 10 minutes of the match.
That game saw Marko Arnautovic scoring his 10th goal of the season. He’s been the top scorer of West Ham, but there are a few other players who are pretty close to that number. Javier Hernández, for example, has scored only two goals less. And Andy Carroll has put three goals to his name in 14 games this season, most of which he started from the bench.
So, obviously, West Ham do have the quality to win points against heavyweight teams, but can they do anything against the best team in England?
Manchester City
Manchester City are the new champions of the English Premier League. But, this doesn’t mean that their summer holidays have started early. On the contrary, this team has kept on playing great even after the title celebration. In the last round, for example, they simply destroyed Swansea. The final result was 5:0.
Obviously, Manchester City have been tremendous this season and there isn’t a single English team they haven’t beaten at least once this season. The last time they played West Ham, the score was 2:1. Of course, that game was played in Manchester, so maybe the Citizens will have problems away?
Well, Man City are the best away team in the Premier League with just one defeat and two draws this season. Furthermore, they scored 40 goals in just 17 away matches, while allowing only 12.
Team News
West Ham absentees:
- Michail Antonio (injury)
- Winston Reid (injury)
- Pedro Obiang (injury)
- Samuel Byram (injury)
- James Collins (doubtful)
Manchester City absentees:
- Sergio Aguero (injury)
- John Stones (injury)
- Fernandinho (suspension)
Possible Lineups
West Ham:
Hart – Rice, Ogbonna, Cresswell – Noble, Kouyate, Zabaleta, Masuaku – Lanzini, Arnautovic, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández
Manchester City:
Ederson – Laporte, Otamendi, Danilo, Zinchenko – Gundogan, Toure, De Bruyne – Bernardo Silva, Sane, Jesus
West Ham vs. Manchester City Match Prediction
Man City are showing no signs of backing down, even though they’ve already finished their job. I’m sure they’re planning to win this game and win it big. West Ham may try to defend, but that won’t help them too much. It can only make the defeat a slightly less convincing.
West Ham vs. Manchester City Betting Tips
- Manchester City @1.30 (bet365)
- Over 2.5 Goals @1.50 (bet365)
